As the weather gets colder, providing food and shelter is the best way to attract a whole host of wildlife into your garden this winter. SOPHIE BROWNSON reports.

WINTER is upon us bringing wonderful wildlife to the forefront of your garden.

While most people like to clear their garden completely before the hard winter sets in- the best way to attract wildlife is to leave some areas of leaves and other debris to provide the shelter they need to survive during the cold months.

The Gwent Wildlife Trust recommends putting up nest boxes or creating wildlife homes out of the reach of predators and leaving a 'wild' area that you don't tidy or trim too often.

Simple changes to your garden such as installing a small pond; sowing a wildflower area and growing your own fruit and vegetables can attract a whole host of wildlife.

Denis Jackson, 51, People and Wildlife manager for Gwent Wildlife Trust, advised the people of Gwent to look out for wildlife in their garden and the surrounding are this season.

Mr Jackson who has been with the Gwen Wildlife Trust for seven years, said that birds you may see in your garden this year include Field Fare, Red Wing, and Brambling, along with other birds from places in the north such as Scandinavia who come to the south during the winter time.

“Winter is a time when everything is changing,”he said.

“Chaffinches which we have here all year round, along with other types of birds, like fruit and seeds, so if you leave a bit of fruit on the ground they will eat it- especially if the winters are hard.”

“If you hear people talking about seeing wildlife near you, it is a good idea to put some fruit down on the ground.

“I often go to my local supermarket and get things that have been damaged to put in my garden, and bird seed mixes and raisins can be bought by the bagful.”

Putting out food is a great way to watch wildlife even in the smallest of gardens, often at very close quarters.

Other birds include blackbirds, and blue tits who can be encouraged to appear in your garden by leaving out food and water in bird seeders.

“You can make your own bird seeders and bird tables with the kids,” said Mr Jackson.

“They love to get involved and get a lot from it when they see birds appear in your garden.”

Other animals to look out for are foxes,hedgehogs and badgers, as Mr Jackson recalls seeing them in areas across Gwent as diverse as Ringland and Monmouth.

During the winter these animals look for somewhere to hibernate so by creating log piles and hedge cuttings you can create the feel of a rural area which they prefer.

You can also help hedgehogs fatten up for winter by leaving out a dish of water and meat-based dog or cat food or by leaving out seeds and nuts.

“The size, location and how you manage your garden depends on what you will see in it as wildlife likes things to be a bit wild,” said Mr Jackson.

If you have a shed in your garden look out for peacock butterflies and small tortoiseshells which hide in shed corners during the winter, but try to avoid disturbing them.

Toads and newts can also be found if you have a pond, as male frogs will hide at the bottom of ponds, while other frogs are more likely to be seen in piles of leaf litter.

By putting a few clay roof tiles in the pond you can provide cover for the frogs and other aquatic wildlife.

For more information visit www.gwentwildlife.org.uk